Beauty Is...

I used to dread art class when I was a kid. It seemed no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't make my hand create the beautiful picture I envisioned in my head. I hated looking around and seeing, what seemed to me, everyone doing their art projects with ease while I struggled and struggled. Even now as an adult I avoid the arts and crafts activities our church has because I don't like drawing attention to my inadequacies as an artist.
It's funny I tend to feel this way because I am not one of those people who can't make anything. In fact, I am very crafty. Most of the wall hangings in my home are things that I've created. The difference is, I guess, that I've made these things my own way, on my own time. There's been no one to look over my shoulder and critique my art or give me a bad grade.

Instead, I grade my own work and judge whether or not it's worthy to adorn my wall. That makes me happy. I love beautifying my home and improving myself in the process.

I painted this picture recently. It's mediocre, in my opinion, but I put it on my wall anyway. Why? Because I kinda like it, actually. I've always wanted to be a painter and although I know I'll never be a Monet, I am trying.

And so, even though my art teacher never gave me an "A", I'm giving one to myself. An "A" for effort and a "+" for taking the time to do something for myself and beautifying my home at the same time.

To me that's what beauty really is.

She Sells Sea Shells

Being summer and all I've been in sort of a beachy mood so when I came across this seashell wreath in my mom's Woman's Day magazine, I knew I had to make it. I think it turned out great and I love the eclectic feel it has mixed with my other decor. The only thing I wish now is that my wall were painted a different color so the shells would really pop. A project for another day perhaps... :)

Here's the instructions if you'd like to make your own wreath.

To make the one I made you have to modify Woman's Day's version a little.

-Instead of a 16 inch foam wreath I used a 14 inch one. The 16 inch one was just too big

-They call for 5 bags of shells which is way too much in my opinion and way too expensive. If you make the 14 inch wreath you can get away with two bags easily.

-I also added glass jewels in colors that match my decor. I think it makes the wreath a little more funky and a little more colorful.

Making things for my home makes me happy!

How to be a Good Housewife

My husband brought home this funny list from work several years ago about how women were supposed to treat their husbands in the 1950's. It was meant to be used as a guide for being the perfect wife and homemaker. Recently I found it and thought it was worth sharing.

How to be a Good Housewife

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready-- on time.This is a way of letting him know you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a warm meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself: Take fifteen minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair so you will be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little more gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

3. Clear away the clutter: Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order. It will give you a lift too.

4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher, and vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

5. Be happy to see him.

6. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

7.  Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. Remember his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

8. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
 Speak in a low, soothing, and pleasant voice.

9. Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to relax.

10. Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

11. Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

12. Don't complain if he's home late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.

13. Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

14. A good wife always knows her place.

There is speculation to whether this is a real list taken from Housekeeping Monthly as the article claims it is. Real or not it's pretty funny yet I am here to testify that there is a lot of truth to it too. My grandma is a bonafide 50's housewife and almost every item mentioned on the list I have witnessed in her own household. Even though my grandparents have a very traditional 50's household they are one hundred percent committed to each other and love each other deeply. So even though that way of life seems so backwards to us now maybe there was something that was working... ie putting your spouse's needs before your own. Just not to the extreme as this article suggests though!

Good and bad but definitely times have changed!